Staying Healthy in Self-Isolation

As for getting rest, it’s vital that you get the doctor-recommended 8 hours a day to boost your immune system and mental well-being. (File photo: @brucemars/Unsplash)

Current circumstances have forced almost everyone in the world to be hunkered down at home until the situation blows over. Spending time at home for an extended period seems to be easy in theory, but it can also lead you to fall prey to a sedentary lifestyle, which is ostensibly bad for your overall well-being.

We’ve already talked about ‘Self-Isolating in Style’ in a previous post, which outlines a variety of activities you can do at home to prevent yourself from going stir crazy. But in addition to partaking in fun activities, you should also make it a point to look after your physical and mental health.

Getting rest and eating a balanced diet.

The Government of Canada notes that getting proper rest and maintaining a balanced diet is key to staying healthy. At a time like this, it’s easy to fall into unhealthy patterns, but you can achieve healthy eating by limiting your intake of sugary snacks and unhealthy fat, keeping to regular meal times, and consuming protein, as well as fruits and vegetables. As for getting rest, it’s vital that you get the doctor-recommended 8 hours a day to boost your immune system and mental well-being.

Drink vitamin supplements.

Try to find supplements that contain a mix of Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, zinc and magnesium, taurine, and ginkgo biloba.

PrettyMe’s review of WrecOver explains that while these ingredients each have their own benefits, such as helping boost energy and the immune system and improving brain function, altogether they help cleanse your body of harmful toxins as well. According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, supplements of several nutrients can reduce the risk or severity of a variety of viral infections, especially in people with inadequate dietary sources. If you find that you cannot get the necessary nutrients you need from meals, supplements can help fill in some of the gaps.

Keep active.

The World Health Organization highlights that regular physical activity is of utmost importance as it benefits both the body and mind. It can reduce high blood pressure, help manage weight, and aid in decreasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers. It also improves mental health and overall feelings of well-being, and reduce the risk of depression and cognitive decline. Now that you can’t go to the gym, you can still do home workouts without having to invest in pricey equipment. If you’re not fond of gym-style exercises, another option would to go for a brisk walk or jog, or even just dance around the room.

Avoid consuming news excessively.

Did you know that there is such a thing as too much news? Psychology Today points out that constantly exposing yourself to negative information—like news about the pandemic—can have detrimental effects on your mental health. It can increase anxiety and stress, and if you allow yourself to ruminate, it can result in undesirable outcomes like depression and PTSD.

It can even paralyze your problem-solving abilities, decrease your motivation, and put a strain on your interpersonal relationships. To avoid this, don’t allow yourself to be glued on your phone for most of the day. It would also help to seek out non-sensationalized news that offers helpful advice.

Just because you can’t go out at this time doesn’t give you an excuse to do away with things that can be good for your physical and mental health. So long as you follow the tips above, you can keep your health in check and avoid living a sedentary lifestyle.